Mikel Arteta braced for toughest season yet with Everton

12 August 2010 17:10
Mikel Arteta believes Everton are facing their most difficult season for two decades because of competition from big-spending clubs like Manchester City and Tottenham.[LNB]Spurs proved what could be done with hefty investment in the playing squad as they finished fourth to qualify for the Champions League last season, just ahead of cash-rich City.[LNB]Everton manager David Moyes, by contrast, has had to work to a restricted budget and so far has spent hardly anything on bringing in striker Jermain Beckford, goalkeeper Jan Mucha and the relatively unknown Joao Silva and Magaye Gueye.[LNB] On the up: Everton were greatly improved in the second half of last season[LNB]In fact his biggest signing this summer is probably that of Arteta, whom he tied down to a new five-year deal despite interest from at least two clubs.[LNB]With near neighbours Liverpool having fallen from their regular position in the top four and Aston Villa consistent top-six finishers, it heaps the pressure on the Toffees ahead of the new campaign.[LNB]'It is a nice pressure to have. We would like to be in that position because we know we can do it,' said Arteta, who will officially sign his new contract tomorrow.[LNB]'I think we have become stronger in the last few years but everyone else has done the same thing.[LNB]'This is going to be the toughest season of the last 15 or 20 years because the teams fighting for the top four, or even the top six, have big potential so we have to be really prepared.[LNB] Sky-high: Despite the challenges Arteta believes Everton can compete with the top sides[LNB]'We know we cannot spend money. We have many other strengths but we don't have someone to put in £100million and say they are going to bring in players of top-four quality.[LNB]'But at the same time we have a few young lads coming through and we always find a solution.[LNB]'I don't think the manager likes a squad of 25, he likes a smaller squad and he is pretty good managing that number of players.'[LNB]Enlarge Pick of the bunch: The current Everton squad is the best Arteta's played with[LNB]Arteta admitted he did raise the subject of the club selling him when it became  apparent there was interest, reportedly from City and Arsenal as well as Sevilla in his homeland.[LNB]However, that was only because he wanted to give the Toffees a chance to make ahefty profit on the £2million they paid Real Sociedad in 2005.[LNB]In truth the 28-year-old had no real desire to leave and Moyes was determined to keep him.[LNB]'It is nice when any big club tries to buy you and give you the chance to win the title or other things but you have to put things into balance,' he added.'I said to the club "If you want to sell me this is the best time" but they were really confident and showed me a lot of respect and that is really hard to get somewhere else.'[LNB]Arteta said he did not need any persuading to stay as he believes the current squad is the best he has played with at Everton and thinks they have a chance of going places.[LNB]'I am really comfortable at the club and I think we have good ambitions,' he said, 'If I was not convinced about enjoying success with Everton I would not be staying.[LNB]"I don't think the chairman (Bill Kenwright) has to convince me or any player; we have to be convinced ourselves because if we are not we are never going to do it.[LNB]'We have to be convinced we are good enough to win trophies and to fight to be one of the top teams in England and you can see that.[LNB]'I think we are reaching a special part of the club's history and I don't  think you could find a better group of lads or players in any club in the Premier League.[LNB]'That is a big part of this club. We have got talent, we have experience and a team that has been playing together for three or four years and that is really important.[LNB]'We have got the spine of the team, we have got some new players, some young talent as well so I think we have got a good mix.'[LNB] David Moyes tells Everton defender Phil Jagielka he's going nowhere despite Arsenal interestWilshere call-up inspires Rodwell to become England's next Jack the ladSign up to our FREE Fantasy Football game - with £40,000 in prize money up for grabsEVERTON FC

Source: Daily_Mail